Abstract

Cyberbullying is a phenomenon of growing social concern that affects an increasing number of children and adolescents from all the developed countries. Although there is a large body of literature on the relationships between school bullying and the family and school contexts, few studies have examined the influence of these social environments on the problem of cyberbullying. Using a quantitative methodology, the main objective of this study was to analyse the influence of the school and family contexts on victims of cyberbullying. The sample consisted of 1,062 Spanish adolescents (51.5% boys and 48.5% girls) from 11 to 18 years old (M=14.5; SD=1.62). Three comparison groups were formed: severe cyberbullying victims, moderate cyberbullying victims, and non-victims of cyberbullying. The results of the analysis of variance indicated that severe cyberbullying victims, compared to non-victims, scored significantly higher on family conflict and obtained lower scores on the remaining family (family self-concept, cohesion and expressive¬ness) and school (involvement, affiliation, and teacher support) variables considered in the study. Regression analyses revealed that academic and family self-concept and some dimensions of family and school climate predict cyber-victimization in adolescence. These new results point to the importance of including the family and the school in cyberbullying prevention programs.

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most challenging long-term diseases (LTD) nowadays. Diabetes is associated with dietary restrictions, medical treatments and a strict life style, and has important emotional implications. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of participating in online support groups (OSG) and participants’ emotional well-being, social support, self-esteem and motivation. An online survey was disseminated in online forums about diabetes, in Spanish (N = 344). Results show that participating in OSGs has a significant influence on the four variables analyzed. However, the direction of this influence depends on participants’ type of diabetes. Participating in OSG is associated with an increase in self-reported social support and motivation for type 2 patients with diabetes, while it is associated with a decrease of both variables for type 1 patients. No differences were observed for emotional well-being and self-esteem. These results have direct implications for both people with type 1 and 2 diabetes and medical professionals in managing online communications more effectively.

Abstract

As a result of technological innovation and the changing environment, new professions have emerged in recent years. One of these is the influencer, a person who, through their posts on YouTube (the youtubers), Instagram (the instagrammers), and other social networks, influences the thinking and the way of acting of preadolescents and becomes their new reference. This influence has repercussions for their career choices and life project. This research seeks the variables that influence minors to want to exercise professions linked to the use of social networks. To respond to the proposed objectives and hypotheses, and adopting a quantitative approach, a questionnaire was applied to 343 Spanish students in the fifth and sixth grades of primary education. The results show that the Machiavellianism variable is the one that shows the greatest differences between boys and girls who want to be youtubers and/or instagrammers and those who do not. The second most significant variable is narcissism, a characteristic of postmodern society and the digital environment. The rest of the variables studied (self-esteem, school commitment, and dominance) differ to a lesser extent.